How can your supply chain consistently delight your customers?

• CMI and KPMG to share insights on building a demand-driven supply chain

Drones will soon be delivering everything from consumer goods in cities to vital medical supplies in remote areas. Technology may be the enabler, but it is customers, and their rising expectations, that are the real stimulus behind a demand-driven supply chain. 

Customer experience is becoming undeniably more important, yet many companies lack responsive supply chains that can continually adjust to fluctuating customer requirements. This is mainly due to the fact that the supply chains of most companies are still largely isolated and not closely integrated with customer-facing parts of the business.

Growth has re-emerged as a major strategic imperative. KPMG’s Global CEO Outlook found that companies’ single biggest strategic objective is to develop new growth strategies. Top-line growth is also, by some distance, the number one priority for consumer executives, yet supply chain and operations are ranked lower down the list, suggesting that organizations may not have the supply chains to keep pace with their ambitions — and, therefore, risk missing out on opportunities to ‘cash the check.’

All too often, manufacturing and trading is based upon forecasted demand, while purchasing and inventory replenishment is driven by current, rather than future consumption patterns. Not surprisingly, more than a third of CEOs say their supply chains lack the speed and agility to effectively compete with new entrants.

Establishing a demand driven supply chain is a journey that often requires a company to rethink their traditional planning and fulfillment models, to be more agile and responsive to demand changes on the shelf. 

To provide insights on upgrading the supply chain to gain valuable competitive advantage and match customer expectations, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – UK’s Sri Lanka Branch, in collaboration with KPMG in Sri Lanka, has announced a knowledge sharing forum, themed ‘Embracing the New Customer: Demand Driven Supply Chain’.

CMI Sri Lanka aims to be the most recognised and respected professional body in Sri Lanka. In line with the vision of the parent body – ‘Better Led and Better Managed Organisations’ – CMI Sri Lanka aims to assist managers not only to perform but to excel in their respective fields.

Commenting on the event, CMI Sri Lanka President Malraj B. Kiriella stated: “We are pleased to continue with knowledge sharing initiatives in collaboration with our knowledge partner KPMG. This demonstrates our commitment to developing management professionals in a breadth of perspective and knowledge to contribute across many areas of an organisation.”

The forum will be held on Tuesday 28 February from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, and will feature a presentation by Thisara Watawana, Manager, Supply Chain Advisory, covering topics such as aligning the supply chain with the business, improving supply chain visibility, instilling flexibility and agility, organising for success and addressing customer segments.

The presentation will be followed by an interactive panel discussion comprising industry and business leaders and moderated by Reyaz Mihular, Managing Partner, KPMG in Sri Lanka.

For further information and assistance on registrations, please contact Chandima on 071 4264284 or Vajira on 0710676600/0714393350.